--RF Ryan Ludwick, placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring he suffered Tuesday night, is the Cardinals' leading hitter against left-handed pitching at .323. The rest of the club is hitting .220 against left-handers and, overall, the Cardinals are averaging .176 against lefty relievers.
But, said manager Tony La Russa, "a couple of years ago, we couldn't beat (a left-hander). We're winning games, no matter what our averages are." The Cardinals are 7-4 in games started by opposing left-handers.
--Ludwick said he was more sore Wednesday than he had been on Tuesday night. On the other hand, he wasn't hurt as badly as on some other occasions in his career. "I've had this string of a long period of time without being on the DL, so that (stinks)," he said. "But the positive is, compared to other things I've been on the DL for, this is extremely minor. I'm not going to have to have my knee scoped. Or a rod put in my hip. Or a rod put in my arm."
--Nick Stavinoha, an outfielder by trade who had been playing first base and catcher at Class AAA Memphis where he was hitting .264 with 25 RBIs, was recalled to add right-handed punch off the bench. Stavinoha lined out as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning Wednesday.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RF Ryan Ludwick (strained right hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list May 13.
CF Rick Ankiel (sore right shoulder, head) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 5. He is expected to return as soon as he is eligible.
INF Brendan Ryan (left hamstring strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 30. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Memphis on May 12.
RHP Chris Carpenter (torn left oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15. He threw a bullpen session May 12, and he will throw a simulated game May 15. He could be activated in late May.
3B Troy Glaus (right shoulder surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He didn't heal as quickly as was hoped, and he may not play before July.
LHP Jaime Garcia (Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He likely will miss all or nearly all of the 2009 season.
ROTATION:
RHP Adam Wainwright
RHP Kyle Lohse
RHP Todd Wellemeyer
RHP Joel Pineiro
RHP Mitchell Boggs
BULLPEN:
RHP Jason Motte (closer)
RHP Ryan Franklin
RHP Kyle McClellan
RHP Chris Perez
LHP Dennys Reyes
LHP Trever Miller
RHP Blaine Boyer
RHP Brad Thompson
CATCHERS:
Yadier Molina
Jason LaRue
INFIELDERS:
1B Albert Pujols
2B Skip Schumaker
SS Khalil Greene
3B Brian Barden
INF Joe Thurston
INF Tyler Greene
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Chris Duncan
CF Colby Rasmus
RF Shane Robinson
OF Nick Stavinoha
